2026 September Update: Lives are Changed

The sprint that comes with the beginning of the year has slowed down to a fast-paced run. Our cores are consolidating, people are committing to coming, friendships are being formed. It is such an exciting time because for so many, this is pivotal to the next four years of their life and beyond. I wanted to share a story from the first week of school!

First Week Changing Lives

For the first week of move-in, we set up in the middle of the dorms outside with lots of sports games, music, and board games for multiple evenings. It's right on the walkway to the dining hall, so you can't miss us if you're on campus. There was one student who had his headphones on and walking along the edges of the event. Most people do this is they want to avoid us, but I have a personal policy to not let anyone get by without an invite. Better that they say no, than I never invite them in the first place! I ran after him and asked him if he wanted to come play. Quietly, he said sure and came and played some cornhole with me. As we played, I tried to get a conversation going. I asked about his family, his hometown. his church background. He expressed that he wasn't interested in coming to church and that he wasn't really looking for community. As a first-generation college student from a poor family background, he intended to focus solely on his academics. He was very quiet, seemed pretty shy, which is typical of a freshman who has just moved in. I introduced him to some of our student leaders and started them off on another game as I went back to trying to support and invite more students to join in. 

The next evening, he came by again to play more games and meet more people. And then he showed up the next night as well. Each evening he came back and made more and more friends. On Sunday, he showed up to our carpool to church and came to church. As I had been helping run the services, I had already been at church when he showed up with the group. When I saw him, I was a little surprised given that he had mentioned he wasn't interested in coming to church. I flashed him a big smile and went up to say hi, opened up my arms and gave him a hug. Now every time he sees me he makes sure to come up and give me a hug. From a reserved first-week freshman with an idea of what he wants his college experience to look like, to a growing disciple of Jesus, just one invitation can change the trajectory of a whole life.

Thank You!

Thank you all so much for investing in lives like this student's. As a shy college student, I needed others to pull me out of my shell. I was waiting for an invite, an opportunity. Just as Jesus came along to his disciples and gave them an invitation to follow him, it seemed that those who responded were those who had been overlooked or rejected and were just waiting for an invitation. Because of your support, we get to be Jesus' hands and feet offering that invitation. And those who respond will see how much their lives can change by making him Lord of their lives. 

Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full

Weeks of Welcome

The years just come faster and faster each time. It feels like not long ago since we did our last sprint for the beginning of the year. If you've read any of my previous August blogs, or been in campus ministry, you'll probably know that the beginning of the year is the busiest time of the whole year. The pace of the year is set by what we choose to do and what we fail to do in this crucial time. Our aim is to bring the light of Christ to the campus. This isn't just about "salvations", it's about life to the full. Not just about a decision made in college, but also the decades after. And for all the freshmen just arriving on campus, it starts now. So every single day for two weeks, we set up on campus, whether it's an event or just going to the dining hall. Over the course of those two weeks, thousands of students come and meet us. And though only a fraction will choose to stay, we hope that each one will remember that they had a fun memory in college because some Christians chose to be there for them. 

The Grove

It all culminates with our opening night of the Grove. This ends our intense weeks of outreach and signal the beginning of our season of discipleship. Cores will start this next week as well. And every year, our students get bolder and bolder in asking people to study the Bible one-on-one with them from the very beginning. It's such an exciting time because we have no idea who is going to say yes. As Jesus invited widely and called many to follow him, so we do too. But oftentimes we don't know who is going to be the ones to answer his call. So, we ask everyone! So many surprising people show up who I don't expect, people who seemed to cool to come, people who are wrestling with God, people who are just beginning their seeking journey for Jesus. If I were to predict who would come and who wouldn't, I'd have a terrible track record. But we see from Jesus' ministry that he invited many, and it wasn't the religious leaders who followed, it wasn't the rich ruler who had kept all the commands, it was fishermen, rich tax collectors, and violent zealots, and others who responded and became the pillars of the church. Praise God that he sees the heart, we just need to be faithful!

Thank You 

As hard as these weeks are, as draining as they can be, it's all worth it because of who Jesus is and what he has done for these students. Thank you all so much for supporting me that I can do this work and be a part of influencing a generation to live like him. 

One more additional piece of news: Emily is pregnant! Number two is on the way, due in late February, and it's a girl! Prayers for the school year and for this pregnancy are very needed. Excited to welcome another addition to the family and navigate what ministry and two kiddos looks like!